Double-sided procession icons were traditionally placed alongside the communion table in the altar – the holy of holies in the Russian Orthodox church. The special place allotted to double-sided icon...

Brightly painted sledges were an important aspect of winter festivities in Russia. Sledging was one of the most popular pastimes of young people. Careering downhill, a young man would stop to pick up...

The towel played an important role in national folk life and was a vital element in many traditional rites. A dowry often included dozens of towels; their quantity and quality indicated the bride’s f...

The shaft bow was part of the traditional horse harness of the Russian and Finno-Ugric peoples. Carved and painted bows were used to decorate horses during festive processions and peasant weddings. S...

Pitchers were popular in Russia in the seventeenth century. They were not only used to serve wine or honey at the table. They were also used as common goblets for drinking the health of the patriarch...